A property tycoon who tried to shoot himself in an apparent suicide bid survived after the weapon slipped.

Alan Lintott, 61, stood on the drive of his £3million mansion and put a shotgun to his head. Police who were looking for him watched in horror as he pulled the trigger. He suffered severe facial injuries and was critically ill in hospital last night.

Officers were called to Englefield Green, Surrey, after Mr Lintott was reported missing by his wife on Monday afternoon.

A friend of the father-of-three said: "It's a shocker. He has everything to live for."